Senior second baseman Eric Charles of Purdue will
miss the Gary Regional opener against Valparaiso for his
involvement in a ninth-inning altercation in the championship
game of the Big Ten Tournament.

After the Boilermakers took a one-run lead in the
top of the ninth, Charles went hard into Michael Basil of
Indiana at third base. A scuffle ensued, with both benches
emptying. Charles was ejected for a flagrant slide and Dustin
DeMuth of Indiana was ejected for fighting.

The Big Ten ruled that Charles and junior Casey
Smith of Indiana both violated Big Ten Conference Agreement
10.01.1.A.1 – “Striking or attempting to strike or otherwise
physically abusing an official, opposing coach, spectator or
athlete.” Both were publicly reprimanded as well as being
suspended for one game.